Exploring the Path to Buddhist Monastic Life

Can Anyone Join a Buddhist Monastery?

The journey to becoming a Buddhist monk or nun is not for everyone. While anyone can aspire to this path, it is not the easy life it might initially seem. The Buddhist tradition offers a path leading to enlightenment, but it requires a deep commitment, often decades long, and each individual must assess their dedication over time. This article explores the practical aspects and challenges of joining a Buddhist monastery.

The Steep Path to Monastic Life

The path to becoming a Buddhist monk or nun can be challenging. Traditional Buddhist monastic practices are rigorous, demanding daily discipline and intense meditation. In stark contrast to the notion of an idyllic life, monastic life involves hard work, strict discipline, and often a life without the comforts and distractions that many take for granted.

Monks and nuns are bound by a lifelong commitment to the precepts and vows. These vows are not for a temporary period but a lifetime dedication. Therefore, the monastery acts as a form of trial by living as a layperson and learning to practice Buddhist teachings in one's spare time. Most people may lose interest in 1 to 3 years, much like in most romances. But the real challenge begins when you abandon all the diversions and distractions that make life bearable.

Training and Commitment

Various Buddhist traditions have different requirements for those seeking to join the monastic life. Some traditions accept people temporarily, while others require a minimum commitment of 5 years to demonstrate a sustained interest. This period is crucial to ensure that the individual's dedication remains strong beyond initial infatuation.

In these longer commitments, laypeople often work closely with an experienced teacher, gaining a deeper understanding of Buddhist practices and principles. This extended training allows the individual to gradually embrace the rigorous monastic life.

Life in a Buddhist Monastery

Life in a Buddhist monastery is lived in the moment. You must give up worldly possessions, personal choice and control over your outer life. You live in relative simplicity, meditating for more hours a day than the average layperson and performing assigned laborious tasks. The monastery serves as a community of unenlightened beings, where there are cliques, factions, and even disputes.

Monks and nuns are instructed by the Abbot, who assigns specific roles and responsibilities. This leadership ensures that the community operates efficiently and maintains a positive environment. Senior monks may also be designated as disciplinarians, resolving conflicts and guiding the community towards harmony.

The Drawbacks of Monastic Life

While monastic life offers a path to enlightenment, it is not without its challenges. Buddhists believe it takes countless lifetimes to achieve full enlightenment. The path requires immense self-discipline, confronting one's own emotional reactions and unenlightened tendencies. Moreover, no one in the monastery is easy to get along with, as few are fully enlightened. This can create a challenging social environment.

When you join a monastery, you bring your own habits and emotional reactions with you. Changing location to a monastery does not change these internal aspects of your personality. Any unhappiness or dissatisfaction will still be present, regardless of the new surroundings. True peace and contentment come from within.

Realizing the Commitment

Being a layperson Buddhist is already a significant challenge, as it involves daily practices and mindfulness. Becoming a monk or nun is a transformation, necessitating a deep and lifetime commitment. The monk by Gehlek Rimpoche, “Buddhism is not love and light. It is hard work. If you want love and light, go to the amusement park,” encapsulates the rigors of the path. It requires sustained dedication and a willingness to face and overcome personal challenges.

The Buddhist monastic life is a journey that demands a lifetime of commitment. It is a unique path to enlightenment, but one that is not for the faint of heart. For those truly dedicated, the rewards are profound, fostering personal growth and spiritual development. Before embarking on this path, it is essential to deeply reflect on your motivations and preparedness.